Ghanaians Want To Live In A Meritocracy

Ghanaians must thank Providence that just recently a historic meeting took place between the founder of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), former President Rawlings, and the presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.

It is yet another sign that indeed the roots of Ghanaian democracy have deepened considerably.

It is hard to imagine such a meeting taking place in the past. That it took place, does indeed auger well for Ghana's future.

Perhaps it is indicative of the fact that it is gradually dawning on members of our political class that ordinary Ghanaians simply want their homeland Ghana to remain peaceful and united.

We want to see consensus and national-interest-oriented politicians like the NPP's Alan Kyremateng; the NDC's Alban Bagbin; the Convention Peoples Party's (CPP) Professor Akosa playing leading roles in their parties.

Democracy is not just about institutions. It is also a way of life based on tolerance.

Our politics must be a competition of ideas. Instead of exchanging insults and demonising each other, Ghanaian politicians must share with ordinary people, the nature of the society they want to fashion for today's Ghana.

At a time when global climate change poses a potential threat to our very existence, politicians must tell Ghanaians precisely how they plan to ensure the rapid development of Ghana - using a sustainable green paradigm that ensures a good quality of life for all Ghanaians.

The vast majority of ordinary people want the generality of the Ghanaian populace - not just a powerful and well-connected few with greedy ambitions - to benefit from economic growth in our homeland Ghana.

A dynamic and aspirational people, Ghanaians want a climate in which they can utilise their talents and improve their living standards through their own effort.

They do not want to be dependent on the munificence of the enterprise Ghana.

They simply want a corruption-free model of development - with the lowest corporate tax rates in Africa; no personal income tax to encourage individual initiative; a business bank that charges interest rates that are the lowest on the continent, and, above all, efficient utility services and modern infrastructure.

Put simply, dear reader, Ghanaians want to live in the most liberal and pro-business society in Africa.

They are desirous of living in a meritocracy in which hard work is amply rewarded, and the honest and ambitious are guaranteed a level playing field in which to thrive.

One hopes members of our political class will come up with policy proposals that take all the above into consideration. A word to the wise...